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Sublimation ink is a heat-activated disperse dye ink that turns into a gas in the heat press and bonds with polyester and polymer coatings. Unlike regular inkjet ink, it looks dull on paper and only shows its true color after pressing. It also only works in piezo-head printers, which in practice means Epson.
Choosing the best sublimation ink comes down to your printer. Factory printers (Epson SureColor, Sawgrass, Brother) should run their own ink to keep the warranty. For a converted EcoTank, you're choosing between third-party brands on color accuracy, ICC needs and bottle size. Here's what's worth buying.
Quick picks
- Cosmos Ink 2.0 – Best overall for EcoTank. 140 mL per color, no profiles needed per Cosmos.
- Hiipoo Sublimation Ink (Upgrade Version) – Best budget, and the brand behind many first conversions.
- A-SUB Sublimation Ink for Epson EcoTank – Best value volume, with autofill nozzles.
- Epson T49M – Best for Epson SureColor F170, F570 and F370.
- Sawgrass SubliJet UHD – Best for Sawgrass SG500 and SG1000.
- Sawgrass VersiFlex – Best for printing on light cotton.
- Cosmos Ink WorkForce Conversion Kit – Best for Epson WorkForce cartridge printers.
Comparison table
| Ink | Best for | Format | Volume | ICC profile needed? | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmos Ink 2.0 | EcoTank, color out of the box | Bottles | 140 mL each color | No, per Cosmos (profiles available) | Check price |
| Hiipoo (Upgrade Version) | Budget EcoTank | Bottles | 127 mL black, 70 mL each C/M/Y | No, per Hiipoo ("Free ICC") | Check price |
| A-SUB EcoTank Ink | Volume for the price | Bottles with autofill nozzles | 150 mL black, 100 mL each C/M/Y | No, per A-SUB | Check price |
| Epson T49M | Epson SureColor | Bottles | 140 mL each | No; matched to Epson's driver | Check price |
| Sawgrass SubliJet UHD | Sawgrass SG500/SG1000 | Cartridges | 20, 31 mL; 70 mL (SG1000 only) | No; Sawgrass Print Utility manages color | Check price |
| Sawgrass VersiFlex | Cotton and hard goods on Sawgrass | Cartridges (C, M, Y, Expander) | 20, 31 mL; 70 mL (SG1000 only) | No; Sawgrass Print Utility | Check price |
| Cosmos WorkForce Kit | WF-7710/7720 and similar | Refillable cartridges + bottles | 4 x 100 mL | No, per Cosmos | Check price |
The best sublimation inks, reviewed
1. Cosmos Ink 2.0 EcoTank Sublimation Ink: Best Overall for EcoTank
Who it's for: converted EcoTank owners who want good color without fiddling with profiles.
Cosmos Ink's 2.0 formula comes in 140 mL bottles in every color, the same size as Epson's factory sublimation bottles. Cosmos says it's formatted for EcoTank printers so no color profiles are necessary, though profiles are available, and markets it on improved color accuracy with "better reds and darker blacks." It also says the ink is fully sourced and made in the USA. The compatibility list is long, including the ET-2800, ET-2850, ET-4800, ET-8550 and ET-15000.
Pros
- 140 mL in every color, not just black
- No-profile workflow, with profiles available if you want them
- Long, model-specific compatibility list
Cons
- Costs more than budget brands
- Bottles don't include syringes (not needed for EcoTank)
Cosmos Ink 2.0 EcoTank Sublimation Ink Refills
by Cosmos Ink
2. Hiipoo Sublimation Ink (Upgrade Version): Best Budget
Who it's for: hobbyists converting their first EcoTank on a budget.
Hiipoo is one of the most searched names in sublimation ink for a reason: it's inexpensive and widely available. The Upgrade Version comes as 127 mL black plus 70 mL each of cyan, magenta and yellow, and is sold as "Free ICC Printing." Its compatibility list includes the ET-2400, ET-2800, ET-2850, ET-4800 and ET-15000. Hiipoo also sells a starter bundle with 110 sheets of 125 gsm paper, two Teflon sheets and heat tape.
Pros
- Low cost per bottle
- Lists the ET-2400 by name, which many brands don't
- Starter bundle covers a first conversion
Cons
- 70 mL color bottles run out faster than 100–140 mL rivals
- "No ICC" still needs test presses to dial in
Hiipoo Sublimation Ink for EcoTank (Upgrade Version, Free ICC Printing)
by Hiipoo
3. A-SUB Sublimation Ink for Epson EcoTank: Best Value Volume
Who it's for: EcoTank users who print a lot and also use A-SUB paper.
A-SUB's set includes a 150 mL black and three 100 mL color bottles with autofill nozzles for mess-free refills. A-SUB says it's ICC-free and anti-UV for fade resistance. The compatibility list covers the ET-2720, ET-2800, ET-4800, ET-15000 and many more. Running A-SUB ink with A-SUB paper keeps your paper and ink from the same maker, which makes troubleshooting easier.
Pros
- Generous bottles for the price tier
- Autofill nozzles
- Easy to match with A-SUB paper
Cons
- The ET-2400 isn't on its published list
- Fade-resistance claims are the maker's own
A-SUB Sublimation Ink for Epson EcoTank
by A-SUB
4. Epson T49M Dye-Sublimation Ink: Best for Epson SureColor
Who it's for: Epson SureColor F170, F570 and F370 owners.
This is Epson's own sublimation ink, sold in 140 mL bottles: T49M120 (black), T49M220 (cyan), T49M320 (magenta) and T49M420 (yellow). The bottles use auto-stop filling and are matched to Epson's sublimation driver settings. Epson lists a shelf life of 2 years from production, or 6 months after opening. Epson designs the F-series for Epson ink only, and on the new F370 it says other brands are not compatible.
Pros
- Keeps your Epson warranty intact
- Matched to Epson's driver for predictable color
- Large 140 mL bottles
Cons
- Costs more than third-party ink
- Only for Epson's SureColor F-series
Epson T49M Dye-Sublimation Ink Bottles
by Epson
5. Sawgrass SubliJet UHD: Best for Sawgrass
Who it's for: SG500 and SG1000 owners doing standard sublimation.
SubliJet UHD is Sawgrass's standard sublimation ink for the SG500 and SG1000, in 20 mL starter and 31 mL standard cartridges, plus 70 mL extended cartridges for the SG1000 only. It isn't compatible with the older SG400 and SG800. Color is handled by Sawgrass Print Utility, so there's no profile hunting.
Pros
- Matched to Sawgrass color management
- Protects Sawgrass's 3-year/100,000-print warranty on recent printers
- 70 mL option for the SG1000
Cons
- Higher cost per milliliter than bottle-fed inks
- 70 mL cartridges don't fit the SG500
Sawgrass SubliJet UHD Ink Cartridges for SG500/SG1000
by Sawgrass
6. Sawgrass VersiFlex: Best for Cotton
Who it's for: Sawgrass buyers who want to decorate light cotton and uncoated wood as well as polyester.
VersiFlex uses cyan, magenta and yellow plus an "Expander" in the black slot. With VersiFlex Light transfer paper, Sawgrass says it decorates natural fabrics like cotton and uncoated wood, with no weeding and no powder; for normal sublimation, you use TruePix paper. It must go into a new printer: Sawgrass says printers that have run SubliJet UHD, ChromaBlast or EasySubli can't be converted.
Pros
- Cotton and hard goods from one printer
- No powder or film
- Same Sawgrass software and support
Cons
- Light garments only; no white ink
- Sawgrass cites up to 30 washes on cotton with cold wash and air dry
- New printers only
Sawgrass VersiFlex Ink Cartridges for SG500/SG1000
by Sawgrass
7. Cosmos Ink WorkForce Conversion Kit: Best for Cartridge Printers
Who it's for: owners of specific Epson WorkForce models who want sublimation without an EcoTank.
Cosmos sells a conversion kit for the Epson WF-7710, WF-7720, WF-7610, WF-7620, WF-7110, WF-7210, WF-3640 and WF-3620. It includes four new refillable cartridges, syringes and needles, and four 100 mL bottles of CMYK sublimation ink formatted so no color profiles are necessary. The same rules as an EcoTank apply: new printer only, one-way, no warranty protection for ink damage.
Pros
- Makes cartridge-based WorkForce models usable for sublimation
- Everything included for the first fill
- No-profile ink, per Cosmos
Cons
- Refilling cartridges is messier than pouring into tanks
- Only for the listed models
Cosmos Ink Sublimation Ink Conversion Kit for Epson WorkForce WF-7710/WF-7720
by Cosmos Ink
Buying guide: choosing sublimation ink for Epson and other printers
Start with your printer
- Epson SureColor F-series: use Epson T49M ink. Third-party ink risks the warranty.
- Sawgrass SG500/SG1000: SubliJet UHD or VersiFlex, chosen at setup. Our Sawgrass SG500 vs SG1000 comparison explains the choice.
- Brother SP-1: Brother's SP01 cartridges (47 mL each). They're the only supported option, and their small size is the main running-cost drawback of the SP-1.
- Converted EcoTank or WorkForce: a third-party ink that lists your exact model.
New to converting? Read our EcoTank sublimation conversion guide before you buy ink.
ICC profiles vs "no profile"
Sublimation colors shift in the press, so color management matters. Some inks (Cosmos, Hiipoo, A-SUB) are formulated to print correctly with standard driver settings; others ship profiles. Either way, follow the ink maker's recommended paper type and quality settings, and judge only the pressed result.
One brand for life
Never mix brands in the same printer. Different formulas can react, shift color and clog lines. If you must switch, expect color changes and plan for flushing waste.
Bottle size and cost per print
Bigger bottles generally cost less per milliliter. A 70 mL color bottle needs refilling twice as often as a 140 mL one. Ink is only part of the per-print cost, though; paper and blanks usually cost more. Run your own numbers:
Sublimation cost-per-print calculator
The numbers filled in are examples only. Replace them with the prices on your own receipts and bills.
This adds up materials and press electricity only. It leaves out packaging, shipping, selling fees, equipment and your time, and it is not a price, income or profit estimate. Electricity uses the press's rated wattage, which overstates real use, because a press cycles its heater once it reaches temperature.
Shelf life and storage
Sublimation ink ages. Epson lists 2 years from production or 6 months after opening for its T49M ink. Buy what you'll use in a few months, store bottles capped and upright away from heat and sunlight, and print regularly so ink doesn't sit in the head.
Paper matters as much as ink
The same ink can look very different on different papers. Pair your ink with the maker's recommended paper first; see our sublimation paper guide.
Factory ink vs third-party ink
| Factory ink (Epson T49M, Sawgrass, Brother SP01) | Third-party ink (Cosmos, Hiipoo, A-SUB) | |
|---|---|---|
| Printer | Epson SureColor, Sawgrass, Brother SP-1 | Converted Epson EcoTank or WorkForce |
| Cost per milliliter | Higher | Lower |
| Color setup | Matched to the maker's driver or software | Ink maker's profile or "no-profile" settings |
| Warranty | Keeps the printer maker's warranty intact | No printer-maker cover for ink damage |
| Support | Printer maker | Ink maker and communities |
Third-party ink isn't worse by definition; it's a different deal. You trade warranty and matched color for lower running cost. On a factory printer, that trade rarely makes sense. On a converted EcoTank, it's the only option.
Is it the ink? A quick diagnosis
Ink gets blamed for a lot of problems it doesn't cause. Check this before you switch brands.
| Symptom | Ink to blame? | What's usually going on |
|---|---|---|
| Thin lines or bands across the print | Sometimes | Clogged nozzles; run a nozzle check and cleaning |
| A whole color missing | Possibly | Empty tank, air in the line or a clogged channel |
| Print looks dull before pressing | No | Normal for sublimation ink |
| Pressed colors faded overall | Rarely | Low heat or time, wrong paper side, or uncoated blank |
| Reds look orange, blacks look brown | Sometimes | Profile or paper mismatch; check the ink maker's settings |
| Blurry double image | No | Paper moved during pressing (ghosting) |
| Colors fade in sunlight over months | Partly | UV exposure; some inks claim better UV resistance |
If you must switch ink brands
Switching brands in a converted printer means the two inks will mix in the tanks and lines, which is exactly what we warn against above. We'd only do it if your current ink is discontinued or clearly failing, and even then:
- Ask the new ink maker first. Some say their ink can follow another sublimation ink; others advise against it.
- If they say yes, run the tanks low without letting the printer run dry, then fill with the new brand.
- Print several full-color pages to push the old ink through the lines, then run a nozzle check.
- Re-dial your settings with fresh test presses, because color will change.
If the printer is cheap, a fresh EcoTank with the new ink from day one is often the cleaner option. And never switch between ink families their makers call incompatible, such as Sawgrass SubliJet UHD and VersiFlex.
How we chose
We didn't test these inks ourselves. We compared manufacturers' and sellers' product pages (Cosmos Ink, Hiipoo, A-SUB, Epson and Sawgrass) for bottle sizes, compatibility lists and formulation claims, and weighed recurring owner feedback from sublimation communities. Performance claims such as "no ICC needed" and UV resistance are the makers' own, and we've labeled them that way.
FAQ
Can I use sublimation ink in any printer?
No. It needs a piezo printhead, which in practice means Epson. It must go into a new printer that has never used regular ink, and the printer can't go back afterward. Our explainer on sublimation ink vs regular ink covers why.
What is the best sublimation ink for Epson EcoTank printers?
Cosmos Ink 2.0 for color without profiles in 140 mL bottles; Hiipoo for budget; A-SUB for big bottles at a good price. Check your exact model is on the compatibility list.
Can I use third-party sublimation ink in the Epson F170?
Some brands list the F170 as compatible, but Epson designs it for Epson T49M ink only. Third-party ink risks the warranty and won't match Epson's driver settings. See our Epson F170 review.
Can I mix sublimation ink brands?
Don't. Different formulas can shift color and cause clogs. Pick one brand and stay with it.
How long does sublimation ink last?
Check the maker's date. Epson lists its T49M ink at 2 years from production or 6 months after opening. Store bottles capped, upright and out of heat and sunlight.
What is sublim ink?
Most people searching for "sublim ink" mean sublimation ink: heat-activated disperse dye ink for transfers pressed onto polyester and coated blanks.
Verdict
For a converted EcoTank, Cosmos Ink 2.0 is the best sublimation ink overall, with Hiipoo the best budget pick. If you own a factory printer, stay with its own ink (Epson T49M or Sawgrass SubliJet UHD) to keep your warranty and predictable color. Whatever you choose, keep one brand in the printer for life. Faded or doubled prints? Check our sublimation ghosting guide before blaming the ink.